Cory and Raul’s destination wedding wasn’t your typical toes-in-the-sand celebration. Instead, it was a story told in three parts, with two separate airbnb wedding venues in Puerto Rico. It all happened in the tropical mountain ranges of Cayey and Caguas. Every turn of the winding road brought us closer to something more magical than the last.

They traded the waves for wild greenery and the sea breeze for the refreshing air of the central mountains, choosing to showcase a different kind of beauty that Puerto Rico holds.

As Florida natives, they knew most of their guests were familiar with the beach life. This time, they wanted something that felt more intimate, more unexpected, and also deeply rooted in Raul’s Puerto Rican heritage.

Wedding Day Journey: Getting ready at Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Real Hotel & Casino

We began the day in Caguas, where Cory and Raul got ready at the Four Points by Sheraton. Cory’s suite buzzed with joyful energy as I photographed her delicate accessories, her embroidered gown, and the anticipation lighting up every room. Meanwhile, Raul shared quiet, reflective moments with his loved ones in the hotel's lobby.

Airbnb Wedding Ceremony at Somos Instantes, Cayey

Their ceremony took place at Somos Instantes, a scenic Airbnb tucked in the Cayey mountains. With lush tropical views stretching across the landscape, the setting was wildly romantic. During their custom vows, they each said, “I almost lost faith that I would find you…”—a line that still echoes in my heart.

You could really see how lucky they felt to have stumbled upon each other, and how they have enriched each other's journey ever since.

After the ceremony and family portraits, we did a short trek up the hill just behind the property. Just the two of them, surrounded by green and golden light.

Eye-level with red-tailed hawks patroling the hills, these mountaintop portraits are everything I love about photographing weddings that feel rooted in place and heart.

The Beauty and Logistics of an Airbnb Villa Wedding

This wedding was a perfect example of the potential and complexity of planning a celebration at Airbnb wedding venues in Puerto Rico. Cory and Raul moved between multiple locations: Caguas, Cayey, and eventually Cidra. While the mountain views were worth every mile, coordinating transportation on narrow, winding roads wasn’t easy.

Their wedding timeline, which included generous buffers, and the support of a wedding planner with multiple assistants, made all the difference. Hosting weddings in non-traditional venues like Airbnb villas or haciendas can be deeply rewarding, but it requires intention and a team that understands the terrain, literally and figuratively.

For couples considering similar venues, it’s proof that with the right preparation, it can be both stunning and smooth.

Wedding Reception at Hacienda Trinity in Cidra

The final leg of the day brought us to Hacienda Trinity, a wedding venue in Cidra with expansive views and classic Puerto Rican hacienda charm. Cory and Raul’s reception setup was both elegant and warm: gold charger plates, white roses, soft blush linens, and a glowing neon sign behind their sweetheart table that read “Los Garza’s,” lit beneath the Puerto Rican flag.

The dessert table overflowed with traditional treats, and once the pleneros started, the energy never dipped. Between the dance floor and the quiet conversations on the balcony under string lights, it felt like the perfect blend of joy, community, and celebration.

Every time I turned my camera toward Cory and Raul, I found something real: forehead kisses, laughter, spontaneous dancing. Their chemistry is a balance of tenderness and goofiness, and it lit up every space they walked into.

A Destination Wedding Rooted in Heritage and Heart

Cory and Raul’s wedding showed how hacienda wedding venues and Airbnbs in Puerto Rico can be transformed into deeply personal backdrops for love stories.

From Somos Instantes in Cayey to Hacienda Trinity in Cidra, their wedding was a celebration of place, people, and a love that felt at home in every setting. I'm so grateful to have been there to witness all that magic.

xo,

Cami